14.030
pitar ūcuḥ॥
The fathers said;
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam। śrutvā ca tat tathā kāryaṁ bhavatā dvijasattama ॥14-30-1॥
Here, too, they cite an ancient historical account; after hearing it, O best of the twice-born, you should act accordingly. (14-30-1)
alarko nāma rājarṣir abhavat sumahātapāḥ। dharmajñaḥ satyasandhaś ca mahātmā sumahāvrataḥ॥14-30-2॥
There was a royal sage named Alarka, who possessed great austerity, was a knower of dharma, resolute in truth, high-souled, and steadfast in extraordinary vows. (14-30-2)
sa sāgarāntāṃ dhanuṣā vinirjitya mahīm imām । kṛtvā suduṣkaraṃ karma manaḥ sūkṣme samādadhe ॥14-30-3॥
He, having conquered this earth bounded by the ocean with his bow and performed a very difficult deed, fixed his mind on subtle meditation. (14-30-3)
sthitasya vṛkṣamūle'tha tasya cintā babhūva ha। utsṛjya sumahadrājyaṃ sūkṣmaṃ prati mahāmate ॥14-30-4॥
As he stood at the root of the tree, then a thought indeed arose in his mind. Having given up his vast kingdom for the subtle path, O great-minded one. (14-30-4)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
manaso me balaṃ jātaṃ mano jitvā dhruvo jayaḥ। anyatra bāṇān asyāmi śatrubhiḥ parivāritaḥ ॥14-30-5॥
My strength of mind has arisen; having conquered the mind, victory is certain. Elsewhere, I will shoot arrows, surrounded by enemies. (14-30-5)
yad idaṃ cāpalān mūrteḥ sarvam etac cikīrṣati। manaḥ prati sutīkṣṇāgrān ahaṃ mokṣyāmi sāyakān ॥14-30-6॥
All that this form, out of fickleness, wishes to do—against the mind, I will release arrows with exceptionally sharp tips. (14-30-6)
mana uvāca॥
The mind said.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana। tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinnamarmā mariṣyasi॥14-30-7॥
O Alarka, these arrows will not reach me at all. They will only pierce your own vital spot; with your vital points shattered, you will die. (14-30-7)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi. tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-8॥
Look over other arrows by which you will slay me. Having heard that, he, considering, then spoke these words. (14-30-8)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
āghrāya subahūn gandhān tān eva pratigṛdhyati। tasmād ghrāṇaṃ prati śarān prati mokṣyāmi ahaṃ śitān॥14-30-9॥
After smelling many scents, it craves them in return. Therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the nose. (14-30-9)
ghrāṇa uvāca॥
The sense of smell said;
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana। tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinnamarmā mariṣyasi॥14-30-10॥
These arrows will not wound me in any way, Alarka. Only your own vital spot will be pierced; with your vital spots broken, you will die. (14-30-10)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi. tac chrutvā sa vicintya atha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-11॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then considered and spoke these words. (14-30-11)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
iyaṃ svādūn rasān bhuktvā tān eva pratigṛdhyati। tasmāj jihvāṃ prati śarān pratimokṣyāmy ahaṃ śitān ॥14-30-12॥
After having tasted delicious flavors, this (tongue) craves them again. Therefore, I shall release sharp arrows at the tongue. (14-30-12)
jihvovāca॥
The tongue said.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana। tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinna-marmā mariṣyasi॥14-30-13॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, O Alarka; rather, they will pierce your own vital spot, and with your vital spot shattered, you will die. (14-30-13)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi. tac chrutvā sa vicintya atha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-14॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then thoughtfully spoke those words. (14-30-14)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
spṛṣṭvā tvag-vividhān sparśān tān eva pratigṛdhyati। tasmāt tvacaṃ pāṭayiṣye vividhaiḥ kaṅka-patribhiḥ ॥14-30-15॥
After touching various kinds of skin contacts, he desires those. Therefore, I will tear apart the skin with various vulture feathers. (14-30-15)
tvag-uvāca॥
Tvak said.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana। tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinnamarmā mariṣyasi॥14-30-16॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, Alarka. It is your own vital spot that will be pierced; with your vital spot destroyed, you will die. (14-30-16)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yaiḥ tvaṁ mām sūdayiṣyasi. tac chrutvā sa vicintya ātha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-17॥
Inspect other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then considered and thereafter spoke these words. (14-30-17)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
śrutvā vai vividhāñ śabdāṃs tān eva pratigṛdhyati। tasmāt śrotraṃ prati śarān pratimokṣyāmy ahaṃ śitān ॥14-30-18॥
Hearing various sounds, it desires only those; therefore, I will release sharp arrows towards the ear. (14-30-18)
śrotra uvāca॥
The ear spoke.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana. tavaiva marma bhetsyanti tato hāsyasi jīvitam ॥14-30-19॥
These arrows will not overcome me in any way, Alarka; rather, they will pierce your own vital point, and then you will lose your life. (14-30-19)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi। tac chrutvā sa vicintyātha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-20॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Upon hearing that and after considering, he then spoke these words. (14-30-20)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
dṛṣṭvā vai vividhānbhāvāṃstāneva pratigṛdhyati। tasmāccakṣuḥ prati śarān pratimokṣyāmyahaṃ śitān ॥14-30-21॥
After seeing indeed various moods, it only desires those; therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the eye. (14-30-21)
cakṣuruvāca॥
The eye said.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana. tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinna-marmā mariṣyasi ॥14-30-22॥
O Alarka, these arrows will not pierce me in any way. Instead, they will pierce your own vitals, and with your vitals pierced, you will die. (14-30-22)
anyān bāṇān samīkṣasva yais tvaṃ māṃ sūdayiṣyasi. tac chrutvā sa vicintya atha tato vacanam abravīt ॥14-30-23॥
Examine other arrows by which you will slay me. Having heard that, he then thought and subsequently spoke these words. (14-30-23)
alarka uvāca॥
Alarka said.
iyaṃ niṣṭhā bahuvidhā prajñayā tvadhyavasayati। tasmādbuddhiṃ prati śarānpratimokṣyāmyahaṃ śitān ॥14-30-24॥
This resolve, being of many kinds, is determined by wisdom. Therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the intellect. (14-30-24)
buddhir uvāca॥
Intelligence said.
neme bāṇās tariṣyanti mām alarka kathañcana। tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinna-marmā mariṣyasi ॥14-30-25॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, Alarka; it is only your own vital points they will strike. With your vital parts pierced, you will die. (14-30-25)
pitar ūcuḥ॥
The ancestors said.
tato'lamakras tapo ghoram āsthāyātha suduṣkaram। nādhyagacchat paraṃ śaktyā bāṇam eteṣu saptasu॥ susamāhitacetāstu tato'cintayat prabhuḥ॥14-30-26॥
Then Alarka undertook a terrible and very difficult austerity, but even by his power he did not attain the supreme arrow among these seven. However, with a well composed mind, the master then considered. (14-30-26)
sa vicintya ciraṃ kālam alarko dvijasattama। nādhyagacchat paraṃ śreyo yogāt matimatāṃ varaḥ ॥14-30-27॥
O best of the twice-born, Alarka, after much consideration for a long time, did not attain the highest good through yoga, though he was foremost among the wise. (14-30-27)
sa ekāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā niścalaḥ yogamāsthitaḥ। indriyāṇi jaghānāśu bāṇenaikena vīryavān॥ yogenātmānamāviśya saṃsiddhiṃ paramāṃ yayau॥14-30-28॥
He made his mind one-pointed and steady, established himself in yoga, and, powerful, quickly subdued his senses with a single arrow. By yoga, having entered his own self, he attained the highest perfection. (14-30-28)
vismitaś cāpi rājarṣir imāṃ gāthāṃ jagāda ha। aho kaṣṭaṃ yad asmābhiḥ pūrvaṃ rājyam anuṣṭhitam ॥ iti paścān mayā jñātaṃ yogān nāsti paraṃ sukham ॥14-30-29॥
Astonished, the royal sage spoke this verse: "Ah, how difficult it was that we formerly maintained the kingdom." Thus, afterwards I understood that there is no greater happiness than that arising from yoga. (14-30-29)
iti tvam api jānīhi rāma mā kṣatriyāñjahi. tapo ghoram upātiṣṭha tataḥ śreyo'bhipatsyase ॥14-30-30॥
Thus, you know also, Rāma. Do not kill the Kṣatriyas. Undertake severe austerities; then you will attain a greater good. (14-30-30)
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
ity uktaḥ sa tapo ghoraṃ jāmadagnyaḥ pitāmahaiḥ। āsthitaḥ sumahābhāgo yayau siddhiṃ ca durgamām ॥14-30-31॥
Thus addressed by the grandfathers, the most fortunate Jāmadagnya undertook severe austerity and attained a perfection that is difficult to attain. (14-30-31)
